Where exactly do you leave your backback when you go somewhere that involves active participation? Say, to dance at night. I have compiled a list of quite useful items but this will be a very serious backback and it doesn't seem like it would be particularly convenient to wear it if I'm dancing or doing whatever else I may happen to get myself into.

Hey Earthwalker. Great question. I too am unwilling to dance in a backpack.

I have a day bag and a night bag, packed before I hit the playa. (A list of stuff I want to have in both is sharpied on the inside where it won't bleed through. I restock daily.)

The night bag is much smaller, and pared down to my essentials. I don't like to take my camera out with me at night, so out it goes. I'll risk eliminating dishes (bowls or plates) but I'll keep cutlery, a canteen, a collapsible cup, a cocktail, some snacks, minimal first aid, goggles, eye drops. I often don't ride a bike at night, so I don't carry bike stuff at night. No hat at night, just a shemagh for dust. And I'm willing to wager that I won't be out late enough to require sunscreen the next morning . . . although someone with very fair skin and a penchant for being up until 8:00am might make another decision. And I'm probably going to check the status of my batteries before I head out, rather than carry extras. Again, that's just me. I might have small spares of things on my person. If a need is greater than what I have, they can come with me back to camp, or I can help them find something better.

So that's the kind of thought one can can put into it . . . customized for your own preferences.

As for the fate of your bag: take it off and either lean it against something but still visible, or gamble and hide it under something. Be emotionally ready for it to disappear, even though bag theft isn't rampant. Tools, bottles of booze, and bikes disappear most. Your bike absolutely WILL go walking off without you if you leave it unlocked. Light it distinctively to pick it out in a crowd, and lock it at all times, even to just itself so it can't be ridden immediately.

You might also find that your neighborhood has a good bar or a good dance floor only a few blocks away, and do that sometimes with very little equipment on you. I love dancing "locally" (and in the afternoon sunshine). It's a warmer experience, figuratively speaking.

*** 2016 Survival Guide ***"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger

EXTREMELY helpful response...thank you!!!!! A very simple, yet very effective, idea to have two packs. Night needs will vary from day needs. I like it. And I'm in the process of ordering a shemagh.

I'm very curiuos to see/feel the size of BRC. Despite the volume of material I've read, I still can't imagine that it's all that big. I assume I could walk from one side of the circle (diameter) in 20 minutes, and around the perimiter in 45. But from what I read...that's just not true.

I cannot express in words how excited I am to go. It seems to have so much that I love: fire and what it represents and how pure it is, ability to do whatever you want to do whenever you want to do it as long as it doesn't hurt yourself or others, embracing all regardless of gender/weight/color/religion, etc. I am always so constrained by society and feel truly unable to be who I am.

Earthwalker wrote:Despite the volume of material I've read, I still can't imagine that it's all that big. I assume I could walk from one side of the circle (diameter) in 20 minutes, and around the perimiter in 45. But from what I read...that's just not true.

You know, even if the physical size of the event perimiter was such that one could walk from end-to-end in 20, or around in 45, the sheer volume of SHINY STUFF I WANT TO LOOK AT, THINGS I WANT TO CLIMB, LOOK THEY'RE GIVING OUT SNOW CONES, etc. would be enough to slow your journey considerably.

Get ready to spend all day away from camp, even if you just meant to hit the porta-pottie. The playa has a certain skill at keeping you away from your camp for extended periods, and it's always great to be prepared for that!

Earthwalker wrote:EXTREMELY helpful response...thank you!!!!! A very simple, yet very effective, idea to have two packs. Night needs will vary from day needs. I like it. And I'm in the process of ordering a shemagh.

I'm very curiuos to see/feel the size of BRC. Despite the volume of material I've read, I still can't imagine that it's all that big. I assume I could walk from one side of the circle (diameter) in 20 minutes, and around the perimiter in 45. But from what I read...that's just not true.

I cannot express in words how excited I am to go. It seems to have so much that I love: fire and what it represents and how pure it is, ability to do whatever you want to do whenever you want to do it as long as it doesn't hurt yourself or others, embracing all regardless of gender/weight/color/religion, etc. I am always so constrained by society and feel truly unable to be who I am.

Earthwalker wrote:EXTREMELY helpful response...thank you!!!!! A very simple, yet very effective, idea to have two packs. Night needs will vary from day needs. I like it. And I'm in the process of ordering a shemagh.

I'm very curiuos to see/feel the size of BRC. Despite the volume of material I've read, I still can't imagine that it's all that big. I assume I could walk from one side of the circle (diameter) in 20 minutes, and around the perimiter in 45. But from what I read...that's just not true.

Yep. I believe the perimeter is 9.2 miles.

An average trip from my camp (middle streets) across the clock to another middle street camp would be at least 30 minutes, on foot. From outermost street to outermost street would be more. This is why bicycles are so handy.

It's a pretty large place, and I'm happy about it (because I hate to feel crowded). The great open expanse of the Esplanade in the middle and the open desert at the "top" and the outsides helps with that, too.

I cannot express in words how excited I am to go. It seems to have so much that I love: fire and what it represents and how pure it is, ability to do whatever you want to do whenever you want to do it as long as it doesn't hurt yourself or others, embracing all regardless of gender/weight/color/religion, etc. I am always so constrained by society and feel truly unable to be who I am.

Anyway, I'm rambling. A happy rambling man

Well, I'm super stoked for you. If you have a backpack (or two) you will be more prepared than I was during my first Burn. (I used my pockets!)

Try not to have too many expectations other than an adventure. That way, you cannot be disappointed.

I hope you'll return and post about your first Burn here on ePlaya when you get back.

*** 2016 Survival Guide ***"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger

I'm very curiuos to see/feel the size of BRC. Despite the volume of material I've read, I still can't imagine that it's all that big. I assume I could walk from one side of the circle (diameter) in 20 minutes, and around the perimiter in 45. But from what I read...that's just not true.

theCryptofishist wrote:No, it's the stuff from Italy, with the fancy covers.

Ah, I know what you are talking about. With the foil cover over the top of the can? (Which I remove before leaving, one less thing to throw away out there.) That stuff is wonderful. Refreshing straight or mixed with whatever liquor you've got laying around on the table. It always comes with us. San Pellegrino I believe it is.

I always carry goggles, dust masks (plural because you just never know), scarf, hat, a little TP or tissue, lip balm, sunscreen during the day, a cup, and some water. It just seems sensible to do that now having gotten caught out last year without some of those items and finding my day harshed a bit by sunburn and dust.

At night, I add baby wipes, condoms and dental dams to my list because, hey, you just never do really know.